The Kennel Club has approved a new official DNA testing scheme for Progressive Retinal Atrophy (GR_PRA2) in Golden Retrievers.

This test is offered by the Animal Health Trust and further details can be obtained from them at dnatesting@aht.org.uk

As an agreement is already in place with AHT to report other health test results, GR_PRA2 results will automatically be sent directly to the Kennel Club from 1^st January 2013, with the test result added to the dog’s details on the registration database.

This will trigger the publication of the test result in the next available Breed Records Supplement, and the result will appear on any new registration certificate issued for the dog, the registration certificates of any future progeny of the dog, and also on the Health Test Results Finder on the Kennel Club website.

If a dog has been DNA tested for GR_PRA2 before January 2013, and the owner wishes the result to be recorded, they should send a copy of the DNA test to the Kennel Club so that it can be added to the database.

When sending DNA results, if the owner includes the original registration certificate for the dog (not a copy) then a new registration certificate will be issued, with the DNA result on it, free of charge. 

Send any DNA test certificates to Gary Johnson, Health & Breeder Services, The Kennel Club, 1–5 Clarges Street, Piccadilly, London W1J 8AB or email gary.johnson@thekennelclub.org.uk